Scholarship Exams for Studying Abroad 2026: Tests, Awards & INR Amounts

The phrase “scholarship exams for studying abroad” covers two very different things, and mixing them up is the most common reason Indian students prepare for the wrong test.

Most “top 10” lists of scholarship exams for studying abroad only cover the first type. That is why students search “what are the scholarship exams to study abroad” and end up with a list of exams to study abroad that never names a single scholarship.

One myth about scholarship exams for studying abroad to clear early: NTSE and KVPY are not scholarship exams for abroad studies in India. KVPY was merged into the INSPIRE scheme in 2022, and neither programme funds a foreign degree.

Counselor insight: Before booking any test, write down the three scholarships you are targeting and check what each one asks for. A student aiming for GREAT needs a strong IELTS score. A student aiming for JN Tata also needs to clear the Endowment’s own aptitude test. Those are two very different preparation plans.

From the LeapScholar community: How much scholarship money can Indian students realistically expect for a Master’s abroad?

Among all scholarship exams for studying abroad, these are the closest thing to a true scholarship examination to study abroad. You cannot qualify with a good IELTS score alone.

The JN Tata Endowment awards loan scholarships to Indian students for Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral study abroad across all streams. Applicants shortlisted after a preliminary screening are invited to take an aptitude test, followed by interviews.

• Amount: Up to Rs.20 lakh, as a loan scholarship (not a grant)
• Last cycle: Applications for Fall 2026 to Spring 2027 ran from 5 January to 29 March 2026
• 2027-28 cycle: The 2027 application window has not yet been announced. Check the Endowment’s website from December.

Read the full test pattern and repayment terms in our JN Tata Endowment Scholarship guide.

The Japanese Government’s MEXT scholarship runs one of the few written scholarship exams to study abroad after 12th and after graduation. Under the Embassy Recommendation route, applicants from India go through document screening, a written examination and an interview conducted by the Embassy of Japan in India and its consulates. Subjects depend on the category and can include English, Mathematics, Science and Japanese.

• Benefits: Tuition exemption, a monthly stipend and return airfare
• 2027-28 status: The 2027 intake closed in May 2026. The 2028 call has not yet been announced.

Eligibility and category details are in our MEXT Scholarship in Japan guide.

For students searching for scholarship exams to study abroad after 10th, or scholarship exams for class 11 to study abroad, UWC is the main structured route. The UWC India National Committee selects Indian students for the two-year IB Diploma at UWC schools worldwide. It uses assignments, shortlisting and interviews rather than a single written paper. Over 80% of IBDP students selected through a UWC national committee receive full or partial financial support.

• Entry 2027: Applications closed on 15 September 2026
• Entry 2028: Dates have not yet been announced

If you are planning to study abroad after 10th with a scholarship, start preparing your UWC profile in Class 9.

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation funds Master’s, MPhil and PhD study at top institutions in the USA, UK and Europe. Awards cover tuition, living costs, one-way travel, visa costs and health allowance up to USD 120,000 (Rs.1.15 crore). Selection runs through a preliminary online interview and a final in-person interview in Mumbai.

The catch: if your offer letter lists an English test as a condition, you must already hold that certificate when you apply. Your IELTS or TOEFL score is effectively a gate for this scholarship. Inlaks excludes MBA and most Engineering courses, so check the subject list before applying.

This is the second meaning of scholarship exams for studying abroad: tests that make you eligible for, or competitive in, university and government awards.

English tests are the most common scholarship exams for studying abroad, yet they rarely pay you directly. What they do is unlock the application. The British Council’s GREAT Scholarships offer £10,000 (Rs.12.7 lakh) towards tuition for one-year taught postgraduate courses. For 2026-27, 12 postgraduate scholarships are open to Indian students. Every participating university sets its own English requirement, so your IELTS band decides whether your application is even eligible.

ETS runs the India-specific TOEFL Global Scholar Challenge for 3rd and 4th-year college students and professionals with up to 2 years of work experience. Check the ETS page for current prize values and dates.

Explore more options in our guides to IELTS scholarships for Indian students and TOEFL scholarship programs.

The SAT is the most direct score-to-money link among all scholarship exams to study abroad after 12th. Many US universities publish fixed score bands:

• Utah Tech University awards an International Freshmen Merit Scholarship of $5,500 (Rs.5.28 lakh) for the first year to students with SAT 1240+, a 3.0 GPA or equivalent.
• The University of Alabama awards automatic merit scholarships based on test scores and GPA. A 4.0+ GPA with a 1600 SAT earns the Presidential Elite award, covering the value of tuition for up to four years.

See more score bands in our guide to SAT scholarships for Indian students.

As one of the key scholarship exams for studying abroad after graduation, the GRE seldom triggers a named scholarship on its own. It matters most for US Master’s and PhD applicants, where departments use scores alongside GPA and research experience to award merit aid, tuition waivers and assistantships. Target scores and university examples are in our guide to GRE scholarships and score criteria.

For MBA applicants, the GMAT is the main scholarship exam for studying abroad. According to GMAC, the body that runs the GMAT, most MBA programmes worldwide award GMAT-linked merit scholarships, sometimes called excellence scholarships. The most competitive programmes typically see average scores above 655 on the current GMAT. A strong score can offset a weaker GPA. Details are in our GMAT scholarships guide.

The right scholarship exams for studying abroad change with your education stage, and so do the answers to what exams are required to study abroad.

For undergraduate options after Class 12, see our list of scholarships after 12th. Scholarship exams to study abroad for masters carry the highest award values, but they also require the longest lead time.

Timing matters as much as scores for scholarship exams for studying abroad. Every status below was checked against the official source in September 2026.

Chevening: Chevening is the only award on this list still open. According to the Chevening timeline, the portal closes on 6 October 2026. Selected scholars must then submit at least one unconditional UK university offer by 8 July 2027. Check eligibility in our Chevening Scholarship guide.

Other awards: Read our guides to the GREAT Scholarship for Indian students, Inlaks Scholarships and Fulbright-Nehru fellowships. The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships require at least three years of full-time professional experience and 55% marks in your bachelor’s degree.

Counselor insight: Most scholarships ask for the score at the time you apply, not after. If GREAT or Inlaks applications typically open in January to March, your IELTS or TOEFL scorecard should be in hand by December. Book the test by October so you have room for one retake.

Use this table to shortlist scholarship exams for studying abroad based on your goal.

A low score in scholarship exams for studying abroad does not end your plan. It changes the route.

1. Retake with a clear target. Check the exact band or score your target scholarship’s university requires, and retake only if you can realistically close the gap before the deadline.
2. Switch tests. Some students score better on TOEFL or PTE than IELTS, and most UK and US universities accept more than one test.
3. Use test-optional universities. Many US universities no longer require the SAT, and merit aid there is based on GPA and profile.
4. Apply for need-based and government schemes. The National Overseas Scholarship uses category and income criteria, with no entrance test.
5. Cut test costs. Check the SAT fee waiver before you pay for a retake.

For a step-by-step plan on how to get a scholarship to study abroad, read our guide on how to get a scholarship to study abroad. You can also use the free Scholarship Finder to see awards that match your profile.

1. Separate the two types of scholarship exams for studying abroad before you prepare. Qualifying tests like IELTS and SAT only get you in the door. Scholarship-run exams like the JN Tata aptitude test need their own preparation.
2. Match each of your scholarship exams for studying abroad to a named award. Pick the award first (GREAT, Inlaks, a US merit band), then book the one test that award actually asks for.
3. Work backwards from the deadline. If you are applying for 2027-28, have your scorecards ready by December 2026, and submit Chevening before 6 October 2026 if it is on your list.

Have questions about which scholarship exam fits your profile? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.